Wednesday, April 26, 2006
To lower gas prices, demand less of the supply
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To lower gas prices, demand less of the supply
Gas prices got you down? Unlike what you hear from the media, the high gas prices are not the fault of Bush or the "evil big-oil executives."
The reason prices are so high can be explained by supply and demand. If we want lower prices, we need to increase the supply of crude oil.
In the short term, we need to head to Alaska and start drilling for oil and decrease our dependency on the OPEC cartel.
Second, it is important that Americans start looking for and utilizing alternative fuel sources.
If we show more interest in hybrid vehicles, the car manufacturers will increase production immediately, thereby lowering the prices of the cars.
As more Americans start using alternatives, our need for oil will decrease. As our need for foreign oil decreases, so too will oil prices.
My last point is this:
Don't think that additional taxing of the oil companies will decrease gas prices. Remember, companies do not pay taxes, individuals do.
If big oil companies are taxed at a higher rate, you better believe that the cost of gas will go up as the costs are passed on to each and every one of us.
Adam Grindstaff
Blacksburg
Gas prices can keep on rising
I put gasoline in my pickup recently at a cost of $2.75 per gallon. This is much more than I was accustomed to before George Bush took office.
However, I hope it will rise to $4.50 or maybe $5 per gallon around the middle of October and stay there until after the November election.
This would serve as a laxative to flush the system of Republicans.
Ray F. Tipsword
Blacksburg
Successful track record is key to gaining votes
Numerous letters to the editor have urged citizens to vote for David Trinkle, Alfred Dowe and Gwen Mason. The reasons are usually as vague as the independents' statements.
During Trinkle's tenure on the school board, it breached its fiduciary and compliance responsibilities -- and the jury is still out on Marvelous Marvin.
Half the schools are facing reconstitution, and I think Trinkle has reached his level of incompetence as a public official.
During Dowe's tenure as a councilman, the only intelligent thing I've heard him say is, "that's not my area of expertise."
Mason's bio says she was a manager at the Department of Agriculture, but when, for how long and at what grade level?
Trinkle, Dowe and Mason have as much to recommend them as an empty bag.
I'm voting for Mark McConnel, Stuart Revercomb and Granger Macfarlane, all of whom have taken specific stances -- well beyond Victory Stadium -- and have a successful track record of positive accomplishments in business and management.
I am confident they will provide the leadership to correct the city's terrible management, wasteful spending.
They are certainly more forward-looking and positive than Trinkle, Dowe and Mason's, "come let us talk some more, some more, some more."
Robert R. Craig
Roanoke
Roanoke could use 'gray hair' leadership
Well, believe it or not, it's time for the May election.
Each election year, I've always managed to forget about my busy schedule and take the time needed to cast my vote for those candidates who would likely remain truthful to their word.
Recent events -- such as proposed projects, sudden "wild cards" that surface at a moment's notice about those projects, clandestine e-mails and meetings that seem not to favor citizen involvement, and the courting of special groups to the detriment of everyday hard-working citizens -- all seem not to be characteristic of effective leadership qualities.
If Roanoke wants to move forward with its vision and mission, I believe it would serve voters well to support candidates who possess a strong sense of knowledge and experience in city government.
In this regard, the selection of candidates with a little "gray hair" would likely be an asset, as citizens in Roanoke experience the need for the wise use of their tax dollars for the betterment of our lovely city.
I believe that Bill White, Granger Macfarlene and David Bowers possess the experience, commitment and "people skills" needed to move our city forward.
Virginia B. Stuart
Roanoke
The theocracy crusade continues
Once again, The Roanoke Times forces religion down our throats. Seemingly, every day there is a Christian-themed article on the front page of a Times section.
It's bad enough that the "church on the mountain" is going to mar the countryside for decades, but we have to see it in your newspaper (April 8 news article, "House of worship rises").
If that isn't offensive enough, the Rev. John Ott claims that "blood, sweat and tears" built this church.
Sorry, Rev., but I think millions of dollars had a little more to do with paying construction costs and the $850,000 for the site.
We're treading dangerous waters with the rise of religion in the public sector.
The Rev. Jerry Falwell and evangelist Pat Robertson fuel this with their money-driven propaganda. Sen. John McCain would agree if it weren't for his presidential hopes. Osama bin Laden attacked us because he hates our religion, not our freedom.
As we move closer to a full-blown theocracy, remember that more people have died and more wars have been started in the name of some god than any other cause.
Something to keep in mind as our Bible-thumper-in-chief continues his crusade across the religion-dominated Middle East.
Dean Selbe
Vinton
How to pre-empt a pre-emptive strike?
I don't understand President Bush's rules of war.
Saddam was supposed to be a threat to the United States. So, Bush did a pre-emptive strike and invaded Iraq.
If Saddam had been behind 9/11, would that have been a legal pre-emptive strike since Bush was a threat to Saddam?
Under Bush's rules of war, would it be legal for Iran to conduct a pre-emptive strike against the U.S. since Bush is a threat to Iran?
I don't understand Bush's way of thinking. He doesn't know what the real world is like and should be impeached before he causes a lot more deaths.
Carl R. Padgett
Roanoke
At issue is if immigrants entered country illegally
In response to Stratton Wayne St.Clair's letter to the editor referring to needing immigrants (April 16, "Immigrants are fulfilling the country's needs"):
I agree that we need them for the jobs that Americans don't want to do, but what does St.Clair not understand about the word "illegal"?
I know that for him and others who feel his sentiments the word "racist" would come into it.
You left-wing, anti-military, anti-American, anti-Bush, anti-Christian people drive me nuts.
Have the immigrants come in the way through the right channels?
I will warn you of this. If the Democrats ever get Congress and the White House again, Americans will die. They want open borders, a smaller military and to befriend terrorism. This is a fact.
St.Clair's logic on immigration is like me having glaucoma and smoking pot to fix it, but getting on the road and killing someone. It's illegal, but I need to do it to survive.
Will the left support me on this matter?
Herb Krebs
Vinton
